WildStar Preview

Next in line to offer some impressions on Carbine Studios’ recently announced MMO WildStar is EL33TONLINE, with this one-page screenshot-laden piece. Here’s a sampling:

Mike went to great lengths to point out that WildStar is being made by gamers for gamers. Carbine is committed to crafting an experience that is fun and allows gamers to play how they want to play. This is a fundamental design principle for them and is realized through their momentum mechanic systems, layered designs and inclusion of gameplay mechanics not traditionally found in MMO-RPG’s.

Planet Nexus is an evocative setting filled with danger and intrigue, willing you to explore it. It is a land made for heroes and, above all, it shouts ‘˜come have fun and stop taking life so seriously.’ In tackling this challenge you have one of four play-styles you can choose from: explorers are rewarded for climbing mountains and seeking out hidden caverns; soldiers rank up through dispatching the hordes of enemies; scientists endeavour to unlock the mystery of the Eldan disappearance by collecting secrets; and settlers build on the planet. It is designed this way so you can play how you want to play and still get a personal experience filled with secrets and adventure. Regardless of your choice, there is a mysterious power threatening to destroy all life on planet Nexus and it is up to you to stop it.

The design approach is to challenge the player yet make it clear what they need to achieve. In short allow players to recognize a goal, react to it and then reward them in a worthwhile way. For example, as a solider you may need to engage in combat and defeat a certain number of opponents. Once you have done that you could be prompted with an additional challenge to take out ten enemies in sixty seconds. Alternatively, now that you’ve taken out the minions you need to seek out their leader and fight him and so on. To any scenario there will be many layers offering players a deep experience of what they can do, with the ability to leave challenges for later.

The combat system provides a threat indication and rumble warnings. If you are watching for the hints this will give you the opportunity to dash in order to avoid an attack and then counter-attack. You can just attack and eventually win, however, if you play smart you will get skill-kills and level up faster. The combat is layered as are the quests to provide an easy entry point for new players and depth for veterans.